Democrats push patient-rights bill

Posted: Saturday, January 13, 2001

By Chad RoedemeierAssociated Press

ATLANTA -- Powerful Democrats in the Georgia legislature want to give patients easier access to information about doctors, including whether they have been convicted of felonies, found liable for malpractice or disciplined by a state board.

The Patient Right to Know Act would create profiles of every doctor in the state, including basic information about a doctor's education and certification. Blemishes on the physician's record also would be listed, including:

All felony convictions or felony charges to which a plea of no contest was entered.

Any disciplinary action taken by a regulatory board.

Restrictions of hospital privileges for reasons of competence or character.

Medical malpractice court judgments or malpractice settlements for more than $100,000.

''That information is virtually impossible to find out now,'' the bill's author, House Majority Leader Larry Walker of Perry, said Friday.

Walker said he proposed the bill to help people who are forced into managed care programs and given limited options when choosing a doctor. The bill is cosponsored by House Speaker Tom Murphy, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Martin and Rep. Stephanie Stuckey, D-Decatur.

The Composite State Board of Medical Examiners would be responsible for compiling and updating the profiles, which would then be posted on the Internet. Patients could also call or write to get a copy of a profile.

Additionally, the bill gives patients the right to ask for the estimated cost of routine treatments and requires doctors to answer ''freely and without reservation or evasion.''

The bill gives patients the right to file a grievance with the Board of Medical Examiners and requires the board to review every complaint and respond within 30 days.

Paul Shanor, executive director of the Medical Association of Georgia, said the public has a right to information about doctors, but there should be safeguards to assure accuracy and to weed out unsubstantiated complaints.

''I'm trying to figure out why they're singling out one profession when others have public safety and health and welfare in their interest too,'' he said.